DMV Culture Clash: Different Backgrounds, Same Team

In this episode of Talkin’ Talent, Host Sam McCarthy is joined by Sawyer Caruso, MPS, SHRM-SCP, Director of Human Resources at Nooks, for a conversation about what happens when professionals with vastly different backgrounds are asked to work toward the same goals. Drawing from experiences working with professionals across government, military, consulting, technology, nonprofit and other specialized backgrounds, Sawyer shares how differing perspectives can influence communication, trust, decision-making and workplace culture.

While the discussion is rooted in the unique mix of professionals often found throughout the Washington, DC region, the takeaways are valuable for any demographic. Organizations across industries face similar challenges when bringing together employees with different experiences, expectations and approaches to work.

You’ll hear about:

• Implementing strategies to enhance communication, trust and workplace culture
• Managing teams with diverse professional backgrounds
• Onboarding and integration best practices
• Navigating hybrid workplace challenges and opportunities
• Decision-making, risk tolerance and organizational alignment
• Creating cultures that value different perspectives and experiences

Join the conversation for insights on turning diverse professional experiences into stronger workplace culture and better team performance.

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On this episode of Talkin’ Talent, Kris Bashore, leader of Cherry Bekaert’s Human Resources Outsourcing and Consulting Services, joins host Sam McCarthy to discuss what it takes to effectively manage people during an acquisition.

Having both joined Cherry Bekaert through acquisitions, Sam and Kris share real stories and lessons learned about how communication, onboarding, and change management shape the employee experience, from retention to client relationships.

They dig into the real concerns people have, such as job security, pay, benefits, and system changes, and talk about what it’s actually like to bring remote teams together.

You’ll hear about:

• Employee experience during and after an acquisition
• Communication and change management best practices
• Onboarding and integration challenges in M&A
• Retention risks and client impact
• Remote workforce considerations and HR trends

Join the conversation for real-world tips on helping employees (and your business) thrive after an acquisition.

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Host Sam McCarthy and Matt Antine, Executive Director of Cherry Bekaert’s Staffing and Recruiting Services, dive into Cordia Resources by Cherry Bekaert’s 2026 Salary Guides. With 15 years in accounting and finance recruiting and nearly 20 years in sales, Matt shares what the latest salary data means for employers and job seekers.

The discussion covers retention challenges, salary gaps by company size and why employer branding matters. Matt offers practical advice for candidates on interviews and negotiations, plus tips for employers to streamline hiring and avoid common mistakes.

If you’re planning headcount, building compensation strategies or considering your next career move, this episode delivers actionable insights to help you stay competitive in 2026.

This episode covers:

• Key findings from the 2026 Salary Guides
• Retention and attraction trends shaping the market
• Salary gaps by company size and industry
• Employer branding and candidate experience best practices
• Negotiation strategies for job seekers

Listen now for the insights you need to hire smarter and advance your career.

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In episode 24 of Talkin’ Talent, host Sam McCarthy sits down with Mallory Planck, a seasoned talent acquisition (TA) leader, to explore the often-overlooked return of investment (ROI) of strong TA leadership. Drawing from over a decade of experience scaling recruiting functions in high-growth startups, Mallory shares how TA leaders can deliver far more than just filled roles by driving strategic value across the business.

They cover how recruiters can influence headcount planning, shape employer branding and support broader people operations. Mallory also dives into the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruiting and how TA professionals can stay ahead by embracing tech and data-driven storytelling.

Whether you're an executive, a TA leader, or building a TA function from scratch, this conversation offers actionable insights on how to elevate recruiting from a tactical function to a strategic growth engine.

This episode covers:

• How TA leaders thrive in fast-paced, high-growth environments
• The strategic impact of recruiting beyond filling roles
• Using downtime to build long-term value in TA
• The role of influence, data and AI in shaping talent strategy
• Why startups need TA leaders who think like business partners

Listen now to uncover the real value behind a strong TA partnership.

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In Episode 23 of Talkin’ Talent, host Sam McCarthy explores the powerful dynamic between accounting/finance and human resources (HR) leadership with Nicole Peace, Chief People Officer at AIS, and Kristyn Reed, an experienced chief financial officer (CFO) at emerging and growth tech companies. Together, they unpack how collaboration between CFOs and chief human resources officer (CHROs) or chief people officers (CPOs) can drive strategic growth, improve employee engagement and align people strategies with business outcomes.

Nicole and Kristyn share candid stories from their careers, offering insights into how HR has evolved from a compliance function to a strategic partner. They discuss the importance of transparency, business acumen, and mutual respect in building a successful partnership between finance and people leaders.

Whether you're a CFO, HR leader or aspiring executive, this episode offers practical advice on fostering cross-functional collaboration and elevating the role of HR in your organization.

This episode covers:

• The evolving relationship between CFOs and CHROs/CPOs
• Why HR deserves a seat at the executive table
• How to build business acumen and credibility in HR
• Transparent budgeting and strategic workforce planning
• When HR should report directly to the CEO.

Listen now and gain actionable insights on how to strengthen the finance–HR partnership in your organization.

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In this episode of Talkin' Talent, host Sam McCarthy sits down with human resources (HR) leaders Julia Medvin and Chelsea Stearns to explore the evolving landscape of talent acquisition, particularly in the context of artificial intelligence (AI). They discuss how AI is reshaping the applicant experience and the challenges it presents in discerning genuine talent from embellished resumes.

As organizations adapt to the increasing influence of AI tools like ChatGPT, Julia and Chelsea share their insights on the changing expectations for resumes and how candidates present themselves. They dive into the pros and cons of AI in recruiting, highlighting the risks of inflated claims and the need for robust assessment strategies.

Filled with practical advice, this episode provides valuable perspectives for HR professionals navigating the complexities of modern recruitment practices. Tune in to learn effective techniques for vetting candidates and maintaining hiring standards amid rapid AI advancements, empowering you to handle AI in recruitment with confidence.

This episode covers:

• The impact of AI on candidate presentation and resume authenticity
• Strategies for conducting meaningful interviews to combat skills embellishment
• The importance of customized assessments in the recruitment process
• Future considerations for HR in an AI-driven talent acquisition landscape

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The information technology (IT) job market is evolving fast — are you keeping up? In this episode of "Talkin’ Talent," host Sam McCarthy sits down with IT recruiting experts Craig Savarick and Bryant Covelli to explore the key hiring trends shaping 2025. Whether you're looking to hire top tech talent, or advance your own IT career, this episode is packed with must-know insights.

Craig and Bryant break down what it takes to stay competitive amid the surging demand for skilled IT professionals and the shifting dynamics of remote and hybrid work. They also share insider perspectives on the growing role of contract and project-based work, why hiring speed matters more than ever and how IT professionals can stand out in a rapidly evolving job market.

Tune in to discover:

• The biggest hiring challenges and trends in IT for 2025
• How compensation expectations are shifting, and what that means for employers
• The rise of contract and project-based IT work, and when it makes the most sense
• Proven strategies to attract and retain top-tier tech talent

Download the 2025 IT Salary Guide

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In this episode of "Talkin' Talent," host Sam McCarthy is joined by industry professionals Kia Powell and Jay Zanone as they explore key trends shaping the accounting and finance workforce in 2025. They discuss strategies for compensation, the future of remote and hybrid work and how companies can remain competitive in the evolving landscape of talent acquisition and retention.

Their conversation highlights the growing demand for flexible work arrangements, the influence of geographic factors on salaries and the adjustments companies are making in response to pay transparency issues. Jay and Kia also examine how employees influence salary negotiations and emphasize the need for intentional compensation strategies that reflect company culture.

This episode offers valuable insights for CFOs, CHROs, HR professionals and hiring managers in the accounting and finance sectors, offering tips to stay ahead of trends and make informed decisions regarding recruitment and retention.

Listen to learn more about:

• Balancing base salary, bonuses and equity in 2025
• Understanding how remote and hybrid work impacts your workforce
• Navigating pay transparency and addressing compensation compression
• Implementing creative strategies to attract top talent

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